Arid Zone Research ›› 2021, Vol. 38 ›› Issue (3): 704-713.doi: 10.13866/j.azr.2021.03.12

• Weather and Climate • Previous Articles     Next Articles

Research on effects of different precipitation magnitudes on runoff changes in the headwater region of the upper Yellow River

BAO Guangyu1(),NIE Hong2,DAI Sheng3(),YAN Zhengning1,YANG Chunhua1,DAI Qingcuo1   

  1. 1. Qinghai Meteorological Service Center, Xining 810001, Qinghai, China
    2. Qinghai Meteorological Cadre Training Institute, Xining 810001, Qinghai, China
    3. Qinghai Climate Center, Xining 810001, Qinghai, China
  • Received:2020-07-31 Revised:2020-10-01 Online:2021-05-15 Published:2021-06-17
  • Contact: Sheng DAI E-mail:985022892@qq.com;842072303@qq.com

Abstract:

Daily surface precipitation data from 13 meteorological observation stations in the headwater region of the Yellow River upper reaches from 1961 to 2019 and runoff data from Tangnaihai hydrological station were used to study the influence of different precipitation magnitudes on runoff changes in the upper reaches of the Yellow River. This research showed that: (1) the precipitation change rate in the headwater region of the Yellow River upper reaches from 1961 to 2019 was 7.57 mm·(10a)-1. Especially in the 21st century, climate warming and humidification in the headwater region of the Yellow River upper reaches have accelerated, and precipitation has shown a significant increase. (2) The annual total precipitation, precipitation more than 5.0 mm, more than 10.0 mm and more than 25.0 mm in the upper reaches of the Yellow River showed a slight increasing trend from 1961 to 2000, while the annual precipitation increased by 5.1%, 6.9%, 7.4% and 15.0% from 2001 to 2019, respectively. (3) From 1961 to 2019, the contribution rates of more than 5.0 mm, more than 10.0 mm and more than 25.0 mm in the upper reaches of the Yellow River were 71%, 43% and 7%, respectively, showing an increasing trend. Compared with 1961-2000, the contribution rates of precipitation from 2001 to 2019 increased by 1.5%, 1.2% and 0.8%, respectively. (4) Annual precipitation is significantly positively correlated with annual runoff, annual total precipitation, annual precipitation more than 5 mm, annual precipitation more than 10 mm and annual precipitation more than 25 mm are also significantly positively correlated with annual runoff, which are the main climatic factors for the increase (decrease) of annual runoff.

Key words: climate warming, the headwater region of the upper Yellow River, different precipitation magnitude, runoff